The Station Pub and Event Center (2171 Fourth St., White Bear Lake; 651-426-2300; thestationwbl.com) in downtown White Bear Lake is about to get a new name and concept.

Brian Johnson, whose resume includes general manager at Seven Sushi and Steakhouse, Dave & Buster’s and Parasole restaurants, has taken over the spot and plans to open Manitou Grill and Event Center in mid-November.

As part of it, the restaurant will close Nov. 7-15 to make the transformation happen.

When the spot reopens, expect a modern American casual restaurant. Salads, sandwiches and burgers will be offered as well as slightly upscale menu items such as bone-in pork chops, steaks and seafood.

“We’re trying to make the space and the concept a nice casual space where you can get some burgers in the $11-to-$13 range, or have the choice of entrees in the $20-to-$30 range.”

Andrew Benny, most recently sous chef at Pittsburgh Blue in Edina, has been named the restaurant’s executive chef.

Johnson said the drink menu will include local brews and a top-notch wine, bourbon and scotch list. The space will also get spruced up: A fireplace with couches and chairs will be added to the existing lounge and the dining area will get more booths.

Johnson said “manitou” means spirit, and he wanted the word back in the name as a tribute to the spirit of White Bear Lake.

Nancy Ngo is a Minnesota Native who grew up reading the Pioneer Press, so it’s fitting that she would one day work for them. She is a three time Society of Professional Journalists Page One Award winner. Before covering food and lifestyle, she has previously covered government and public safety. She has served on boards including the Asian American Journalists Association and The University of Minnesota’s The School of Journalism and Mass Communication Alumni Society Board.

As you comment, please be respectful of other commenters and other viewpoints. Our goal with article comments is to provide a space for civil, informative and constructive conversations. We reserve the right to remove any comment we deem to be defamatory, rude, insulting to others, hateful, off-topic or reckless to the community. See our full terms of use here.

More in Restaurants & Food

I love the holiday season. It’s not just the actual holidays that I love, though I certainly look forward to and enjoy them. But I get excited in early December, and for a very good reason that stretches back to my childhood. My mother and grandmother began their holiday baking in early December. Both of them were excellent, professional-quality bakers,...

It may be cold outside, but downtown Stillwater’s newest restaurant and bar aims to be an escape to a tropical getaway. The Tilted Tiki — with its palm trees, thatched decor and all — is now open in the Grand Garage building (324 S. Main St.; 651-342-2545; ) serving up Polynesian drinks, pupu platters and other plates meant for sharing, such...

The renovation and expansion of the Walker Art Center may still be underway, but the new restaurant is ready. Esker Grove (723 Vineland Place, Minneapolis; 612-375-3540; ) opens Dec. 13 with Doug Flicker, chef/owner of Sandcastle and Piccolo, at the helm. Look for dishes highlighting local harvest and regional artisans and purveyors. Look for contemporary dishes such as smoked sturgeon rillettes and...

Pajarito, the Mexican restaurant in the former Glockenspiel space, is weeks away from opening, and we got a sneak peek at the interior. Owners Stephan Hesse and Tyge Nelson, both well-seasoned chefs and proteges of local culinary legend Tim McKee, said they basically tried to get out of the way of the beautiful 140-year-old building, opening up the previously dark...

Things keep getting sweeter for Uptown Girl Cupcakes & Dessert. In addition to the food truck that could be spotted around town, there’s now a bricks-and-mortar location in downtown White Bear Lake, too. We speak with owner Melynda Harjes, 45, about how sweet it is to be running her own dessert shop (2208 Third St. 651-300-9539; ). What did you want to...